Over 100 killed in religious stampede in Hathras

Multiple media reports state that more than 100 people have died, mostly women and children, in a stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district on Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Etah, Rajesh Kumar Singh told the PTI news agency that the incident occurred at a 'satsang' in Pulrai village where people had gathered in large numbers.

Eyewitness Shakuntala Devi told PTI that the stampede took place while people were leaving the venue at the end of the 'satsang'. They fell atop each other, she said.

The stampede apparently occurred due to overcrowding, Sikandra Rao police station SHO Ashish Kumar said.

According to officials, a team comprising the Agra additional director general of police and the divisional commissioner of Aligarh will probe the incident.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the stampede and instructed officials to reach the accident site and carry out relief measures. He announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.

The Uttar Pradesh government said an FIR will be registered against the organisers of the programme.

Adityanath also directed the district administration to arrange for proper treatment of those injured and immediately take them to hospitals. He wished them a speedy recovery.

In a post on 'X' in Hindi, he said, "The loss of lives in the unfortunate accident in Hathras district is extremely sad and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved family." Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh ministers Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Sandeep Singh were headed for the incident site and the chief secretary and police chief have been directed to reach the spot.

Sikandra Rao MLA Birendra Singh Rana told PTI that the 'satsang' was a daylong affair.